Friends of Sinn Fein Fundraising in the USA

The following is a statement written by Ned McGinley, National President of the AOH in America. Feel free to post your thoughts and comments - we after all in still in America - a free country.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America views with disappointment the decision by the U.S. Administration to curtail fundraising in the USA by an Irish-Nationalist Party Sinn Fein.

The AOH was among the first to request that the Irish Republican Army decommission their weapons and turn to a strictly peaceful and political agenda to achieve a united Ireland. The Army did so and is now, even quoted in the IMC report, in a political mode. We have supported peace and cross community projects in the north. We feel that all parties should be able to present their message in the United States. We ask the President Bush and his envoy Mitchell Reiss to revisit their decision.

A decision like this, while allowing others to fundraise, has overturned the former even handed policy of this administration.

We continue to support Sinn Fein and their constituency in their right to refuse support for the PSNI until collusion is totally and independently investigated.

We would also thank the Irish Government for their support of the Pat Finucane family as they seek a truly independent inquiry into the collusion death of their husband and father.

Ned McGinley
National President AOH in America